M29-2 Did I do good?

[poprivit]

Just picked this up. Had been in storage (coal mine, I think) for over 30 years. Pitted, very dirty and gummed up, action not functioning due to crud, no rear sight. S/N indicates 1979 production.
$700
Your opinion?

 

[NYlakesider]

Just picked this up. Had been in storage (coal mine, I think) for over 30 years. Pitted, very dirty and gummed up, action not functioning due to crud, no rear sight. S/N indicates 1979 production.
$700
Your opinion?

Well your right it does look a bit grungy. You said gummed up and action not functioning.

Unless you can do the clean up work and the gun functions OK when cleaned (Basic Revolver tests) you paid a lot more than I would of. Even if it functions OK, accuracy or lack of it might be "interesting" even with a rear sight!

Good luck.

 

[Xfuzz]

Let ya know when the "after"
pics are posted.

 

[Hair Trigger]

I'd say that's about right, if the mechanicals are in good shape once it is cleaned well. Not sure if the nickel can be saved, but a few hours of rubbing with Flitz and a prayer or two, and who knows? Finding a rear sight shouldn't be terribly hard, the sights are black on a nickled gun. Should make a nice shooter. I'm surprised it doesn't have the target stocks instead of magnas.

 

[gmborkovic]

First impression, marginal buy. Without gun in hand on the work bench.
Orig. rear sight maybe $100. OK, up to $800. Gun aint working yet.
And red FS insert. But if you like to bring back neglected guns.

 

[22hipower]

Dirty tarnished cloudy nickel often cleans up well and surprises on the up side. Pitted nickel, maybe not so much. How does the bore look? I think I would have passed. Good luck though and we're looking forward to the "after" photos.

Jeff
SWCA #1457

 

[Narragansett]

Well, I think the nickel is shot. These guns came with magma grips? Somebody has had the side plate off with the wrong type screwdriver.

Well you asked for an opinion, so mine is I would not have kicked this sleeping dog.

I hope Bubba did not get to the internals

 

[75Vette]

Yup, the cringe factor is on up there. Bless its heart.

 

[SVT28]

I think I would have been a buyer at $400-$500 given I could not check function with it being gummed up and the obvious condition issues/missing sights. I'm all about saving an old dog if the price is right, though this one is outside of my ballpark.

Good luck with it, can't wait to see the "after" pics.

SVT28


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Laketime]

few years back a friend of mine bought a 29-5 four inch in almost exact condition. Sent it to the factory $365. late it was like a new gun. Forget those who will be quick to chime in on how you wont get that money back ,instead you will own a 29-2 to be proud of. I don't think nickel will be an option so you might have to get a blued finish.

 

[Georgia1911]

A bit strong, perhaps $200 or so too much IMO, but not enough to do permanent damage to your wallet. It's gonna need cleaning, which costs nearly nothing, and sights and stocks, which cost somewhat more than nothing. Even with that long tube, I think you will fire one round of 44 Rem Mag with those Magnas and regret it, but you can probably sell them to recover some of the cost of a good set of targets. You can end up with a shooter 29-2 for less than $1,000 net.

 

[RobertJ.]

These days, I don't think $700 is too far out of line (depending on how the internals clean up) for a solid N-Frame, perhaps just a little. Like they say- you didn't pay too much, you bought it too soon!

If it turns out that it's a decent shooter, I'd say it's a prime candidate for a hard chrome finish.

I bought a shooter 29-2 (6.5", nickel) a few years ago and it was missing the orange insert, so I fashioned one out of some JB Weld, then painted it black. It works just fine.

And I completely agree with Georgia1911- Magna stocks look great until you start shooting full power loads. Put those away for photos and get some Pachs or Hogues for shooting.

 

[Hawg Rider]

Restoration candidate

What a pity! But you know what, I think that old girl will clean up. I enjoy doing restorations and bringing "abused" or neglected items back to life, and this is a perfect candidate. You may have paid a little too much, but with any luck you'll end up with a decent shooter worth the price of the revolver and any replacement parts. And in a few years, it may appreciate even more. A good strip down and cleaning will probably work wonders with the mechanism and the nickel finish. Parts for a '79 M29-2 are readily available, as are GA or rubber target stocks. You can use almost any plastic material and some hand fitting for the front sight insert (toothbrush handle, etc.). It would be a fun project if you decide to tackle it. Good luck, and enjoy!

 

[Patrick L]

I likely would have been all over that. Maybe a bit too much $$, but not by much.

I love a project. If it comes off successfully, in 10 years you will not miss a cent of the $700 you spent. You WILL have had the experience of restoration, which I personally enjoy as much as the actual shooting, plus all the subsequent years of enjoyment you will derive.

That's just me. Some people want to just buy perfection from day 1. That's their right too .

 

[slight_turn_line_69]

I LOVE a good project gun! It might never be a show piece, but you'll get a bunch of fun out of shooting it. I humbly suggest that you soak it well in the anti-corrosion oil of your choice before taking it apart. The nickel finish is already pretty much ruined, so I'd try to get the rust stopped and leave it at that. A set of Hogue rubber grips for $25 and a rear sight for whatever they're going for these days, and you'll be ready to shoot. A well-worn Model 29-2 will cost you $1400 these days, and a new Model 29 will cost you about the same, so $700 isn't too bad. Good luck!

 

[boykinlp]

Check with RKmesa, maybe that is the type he sends off to the engraver!
Larry

 

[bmcgilvray]

At that price I'd buy it, I'd own it, and I'd shoot it. All while feeling like I'd snuck up on a "real deal."

 

[Drm50]

Would pass on that one. Common sense is that to get that gun into anything other than beater shape is going to cost better than $100. That puts you at $800 minimum, no room for finish or other problems. The thing is with $900 in my paws I can find a 29-2 shooter that may have blue issues and rubber grips but otherwise much better deal. Look at N Targets and that's another $100 minimum. That's just me. I'm not into saving basket cases for pride of ownership. I send $20 a month to St. Jude to get my jollies.

 

[rbmac52]

That is a classic revolver, but in that condition $700 is way too much money, as far as I am concerned.

 

[Charlie Foxtrott]

I think that there is someone out there.

Walking around with 700 dollars in their pocket that is real happy about the whole deal.